After all the buildup and excitement of the release of the Phantom Menace, it would’ve been natural that the film would fail to meet expectations. While a lot of people enjoyed the film, it failed to capture the wonder and awe that the original trilogy was know for. With that said, the first film did set up some interesting storylines. How would Obi Wan Kenobi handle his new responsibility as a Jedi mentor? What is the identity of the Sith? Would Anakin Skywalker begin to show signs of his eventual transformation to the dark side of the Force? All this was enough to make me curious about the upcoming sequel and remain optimistic that Episode II would be an improvement over the prequel. With fingers crossed, I went into the film hoping that my faith in George Lucas wouldn’t be misplaced.
The story moves ahead in time as Padme Amidala, now a Senator, arrives for an important vote in the chamber in the Republic. However, after the ship lands, a bomb explodes which results in the death of some of her fellow crew members. Chancellor Palpatine and the Jedi council respond by asking Anakin to protect the Senator from further harm and Obi Wan to head an investigation to find the source of the assassination attempt made on the Senator. Kenobi discovers that the man who hired the assassin was a bounty hunter named Jango Fett who resides on a rainy planet called Kaminio with his son Bobba. To his shock, it is also revealed that a Clone Army was built using Fett’s DNA which was ordered by a one time Jedi. After Kenboi and Fett come to blows on the ground and in space, Fett appears to defeat Kenboi. However, Kenobi survives and tracks Fett to a far away planet of Genosis.
Meanwhile Anakin and Padme settle on her home planet of Naboo. There they start to develop feelings for each other, which if consumated would result Skywalker in being dismiised from the Jedi Council. Anakin also has difficulty in controlling his emotions not only for Padme, but also his concern for the welfare of his mother who is still a slave. He eventually returns to Tattooine to rescue his mother only to discover that she’s dying. After she dies, he avenges her memory by slaughtering her captors, including the women and children. For the first time, Anakin falls prey to the Dark Side of the Force.
Meanwhile on Genosis, Kenobi discovers that the planet is a headquarters of a group of disgruntled leaders of various planets in rebellion of the Republc called the Separatists. To make things even more complicated, the leader of the army is being led by a former Jedi, Count Dooku.. Obi Wan sends a call to Anakin to pass this infomration to the Council and the Government before he gets captured by the Separatists. During his capture, Dooku visits Kenboi and pleads for his help. The Count claims that a Sith Lord is currently runniing the Senate and asks Obi Wan to join forces to unveil the identity of the dark Lord, which Kenobi rejects. Anakin and Padme attempt a rescue of Kenobi, but soon get captured themselves. The three face certain doom in the hands of the Separatistis and only miracle can save them from their death.
Let me start off by saying that this is a more entertaining film than the prequel. The minimal presence of Jar Jar Binks, an older more mature Anakin Skywalker, and not having to rely on a confusing trade deal as the main conflict alone would be an improvement. But this film also does a better job in its action scenes and its story. Not to say that the screenplay is great, it’s not, but there’s enough variety that kept my interest between the battles.
I liked the mystery of the attempted assassination of Padme and how it reveals a larger conflict taking place in the galaxy. It also a showcase the strengths and the bravery of Obi Wan Kenobi in his quest to catch the perpetrator. His story line is easily the best part of the film.
The other major story line in the film, is not quite as good. The premise makes sense, the blooming relationship between Anakin and Padme is a great setup for future problems and issues for both characters. He’s a Jedi who is not allowed to have any emotional relationships and she doesn’t want to give up her responsibilities as a Senator. So far so good. However, the screenplay is a hindrance to any chemistry that they could’ve had. They’re both attractive people, but the dialogue is sloppy and very amateur. It would’ve been better if the speaking was at a minimal and not be so occupied with how many metaphors they can fit in a script . It also takes away from the critical first moment that Anakin gives in to his darker nature as he avenges the death of his mother.
While George Lucas isn’t a great script writer, he more than makes up for it for the battle sequences. Everything from the chase of the assassin of Padme to the great final battle between the clones and droids it’s very exciting. Lucas does a great job of blending the main characters with the thousands of troops fighting without totally overshadowing them with his innovative special effects. I also love how he uses the effects for the planet of Genosis. The dark isolated planet surrounded by water highlighted by a tropical storm was magnificent. It’s also a perfect backdrop of the confrontation between Jango Fett and Obi Wan which was a great duel in the film.
Another strength of this film is how interesting the new villains are. Jango Fett is a terrific foil for the first half of the film and his role in the Clone Wars plays a big part in the eventual downfall of the Republic. Like his son Boba, he is a very formidable fighter with a touch of mystery. His interaction with his son is also hillarious as they chuckle and bond at they try to elminiate Kenobi during their space duel. My favorite villain though is Count Dooku. Played exquisite by the great Christopher Lee, the Count is by far my favorite character in the new Star Wars trilogy. When he first makes his appearance he’s comes across as a charming English gentleman who you could have some tea with and chat about cricket. However, it becomes clear that he has been seduced by the Dark Side and is bent on destroying the Republic. Add that to the fact that he’s a powerful Jedi knight and you know that our heroes are up against someone very formidable.
These two great adversaries are also catalysts for some of best moments for the defenders of the Republic. The heroes from the Phantom Menace were kind of boring and pedestrian with the exception of Qui Gon Jim who is now dead. However in the Attack of the Clones, Obi Wan can finally evolve into a Jedi Knight, Mace Windau shows why he’s the leader of the Jedi Council, and even Anakin is able to take a break from his emotional angst and try to fulfill the prophesy of being the person who who’ll bring order to the galaxy. However, the best part of the film is seeing the legend himself, Yoda, in a light saber battle. Seeing his skills in action is one of my all time favorite moments in any Star Wars film. I still remember how happy I was in the theater seeing Yoda bouncing from a side to side while somersaulting in his duel with Count Dooku.
If you’re not a Star Wars fan, this film is not for you, but as a Star Wars fan myself, I enjoyed it. Sure the love story stinks, but the Obi Wan story line more than makes it up for it, highlighted by a terrific final battle that builds up the anticipation for the final chapter of this series. This film also provides more answers and hints that reference the original trilogy. Among those are the blueprints for the Death Star, the origins of the Storm Troopers, and the first appearance of Boba Fett as a young boy. While I wished it was a tad shorter and that Count Dooku would’ve been in more scenes , this film is a welcome addition to the Star Wars library. Now let’s hope that the final chapter of the series can maintain the fun, while having a more coherent screenplay!
Brian’s Rating 7/10
Here’s my review of the first in this series-